Main Sections

Vergennes Day Celebrates Life In Small Town Vermont

photo by provided Cecile Daniels Gebo.

photo by Mark Bouvier Abbie Stearns.

photo by provided Dot Bodette.

photo by provided Ericka Delisle.

Tuesday August 29, 2017

By Cookie Steponaitis

As the largest maple tree on Main Street begins to sport a tint of red and hints that fall is not far off, the Little City prepares to welcome locals and visitors alike by showcasing life in rural Vermont. Vergennes Day was the creation of the Vergennes Recreation Committee in 1980 with Chris Pettibon as the chair and was started to celebrate people who work tirelessly to make the city a special place to live. Thirty-six years later the local tradition is sponsored by the Addison County Chamber of Commerce in partnership with just about every civic organization in the area. Two days are set aside bringing together residents and visitors to celebrate summer, family, food, fun and all things Addison County.
    The beauty of Vergennes Day is there is truly something for everyone and it brings out nostalgic memories of life in the Little City. The celebration shares with several hundred visitors the values and life choices made by people in this region of the Champlain Valley. For some history is not only something for the books but their family was front and center in the critical chapters. Lifelong resident Cecile Daniels Gebo remembers, “One of my favorite memories of Vergennes Day was the year I got to dress as Great-Grandma Philomene Daniels and to be a part of the events in the park. Jane Vincent and I set up a tri-fold board with photos and facts about her life and the Daniels’ Steamboat Line. People from all over Vermont, Quebec and even Germany came up and asked us questions. There was an auction and the highest bidder earned a picnic basket from Christoff’s Restaurant and lunch with me portraying Captain Philomene. We also were a part of a vignette at the falls which shared some of Philomene’s adventures.” Captain Phil was quite probably the world’s first licensed female steamship captain and her family was central to the growth of the region through the family steamship line. Like Cecile Daniels Gebo, many families can trace back to their ancestors who settled the area and through their stories a window is opened into the spirit and resourcefulness of those who came and settled Vergennes, making it the oldest city in Vermont and third oldest in New England.
    Vergennes’s oldest resident Dot Bodette has unique reasons for loving the town since she has been a part of life here for the past 102 years. Through her granddaughter Dot shared remembering living on a farm on 22A. Her mother Grace Leonard lived to be 101 and would drive her and her five siblings into Vergennes in a horse and buggy or on a sleigh in the winter. They would drive the horses to St. Peter’s every Sunday while her father stayed behind to tend to the farm. One time her mother almost tipped the sleigh over on Prospect Hill. Eventually, her mother learned to drive an automobile and was the second woman in Vergennes to drive a car the first being Kate Dalrimple. After her mother learned to drive she gave driving lessons to many other people in Vergennes. Also front and center in Dot’s mind was a Home Talent Show that was held regularly in the Town Hall/ Vergennes Opera House. Dot reminisced, “Local adults would perform. One time when she was in her late teens or early twenties, she was the leading woman and George Jenkins was the leading man. At the end of their skit they were supposed to kiss, but Nana felt shy about it. Eventually, George asserted himself and made good on the kiss.”
    Volunteer firefighter Abbie Stearns looks to the connections of small town life as the underpinning for why people continue to stay and call this area home. She shared, “Growing up in a small town everybody knows everybody, and they are willing to show their support of the community. I grew up playing sports and I was always amazed to see how many people would come to the games and support the school and the athletes. Even kids who had graduated years before would still come and watch and support. It helped me play my best with seeing so many familiar faces in the crowd, cheering your team on.” Whether a swim meet, basketball game, soccer tournament, Little League game or simply gathering to eat at the beloved pancake breakfasts and chicken dinners, Abbie looks to her community as a place of support.
    Ericka Delisle looks to the people as the heart of the city and coming home as a joy. She shared, “The most special part about living in Vergennes is that you can always come home and you will always be embraced with open arms, whether by family, friends or your neighbors when you run into them at the grocery store. The people will always remember you and the good things you did while you are here. There’s a reason we’re called ‘The Little City with the Big Heart.’ Vergennes welcomes all.”
    Festivities begin with the Art Walk sponsored by Creative Space Gallery on Friday, August 25th with art on view or for sale along Main Street. Starting at 5:00 p.m. and going until 8:00 p.m., the goal is to invite folks out to explore ships, businesses and walking the historic downtown. Vergennes is delighted to welcome back the Street Dance and The Hitmen which will happen from 7:00-10:00 p.m. so bring your dancing shoes or simply select your spot to sit and listen. Make certain to be ready first thing in the morning because Saturday, August 26th has a lineup that includes a pancake breakfast, Road Races including 5K, 10K, 15K and kids’ fun run. Starting this year at the Vergennes Elementary School courses range from easy to difficult and welcomes both runners and walkers alike. Then it is back to the green in the middle of the city and sixty-five venders, horse drawn wagon rides, bandstand music, a chicken BBQ and the annual plunge over the falls by the stalwart Rotary Rubber Duckies.
    No matter which street corner you turn down, which shop you visit, which hand you shake or neighbor you hug, enjoy the summer days and friendships renewed or made. For some it is the history, while others come to see art, food and fun. Some cherish community and others return to a place where little changes and the simplicity of small town life is for all to share. Congratulations to all the communities of the region who celebrate their special day.

Printer Friendly

Top

Advertisements

Search our Archives